Cincinnati Reds lefthander Aroldis Chapman will remain in his closer role this season, the team's website reports.

Following a report by The Cincinnati Enquirer on Thursday that the team soon would make that news official, Reds manager Dusty Baker and general manager Walt Jocketty both publicly denied that a decision about Chapman's role had been made.

Now it has.

“It was like last year,” general manager Walt Jocketty told The Cincinnati Enquirer. “It was what gave us the best opportunity to win as an organization this year. The rotation as it was, we had four guys who pitched 200 innings. We have another guy who is capable of pitching 200 innings. That’s a very strong rotation.”

Chapman, signed to a six-year, $30.25 million contract before the 2010 season, was given a trial run as a starter this spring after making all 137 of his major league appearances as a reliever.

In his first season as closer last season, Chapman had a 1.51 ERA, saved 38 games and struck out 122 batters in 71 2/3 innings.

With Chapman staying in the bullpen, righthander Mike Leake will remain the team's fifth starter and reliever Jonathan Broxton will shift to a setup role. Broxton signed a three-year, $21 million contract this past offseason, presumably to serve as closer.